IT is shocking to note that 13 wind and solar power projects totalling 680MW approved five years ago at the lowest tariff of 3.2 to 3.7 cents per kWh by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) are still awaiting a go-ahead from the bureaucracy while the country is in dire need of cheaper, affordable and green renewable energy as quickly as possible.

Such an inaction is unpardonable and people in the power sector responsible for this should be taken to task and shown the door. Other countries are working day and night to generate all their power from renewable energy, including solar and wind, and a few are nearly achieving it.

China and India are planning to add 500,000MW of renewable energy by 2030, while Pakistan will be standing at a pathetic 2,300MW.

In the interest of affordability, reliability and security, it is time for us to take quick decisions to concentrate on adding renewables at a quick pace.

Riaz Bhutta
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2023